The Lovereading4Kids comment

Julia Eccleshare's Pick of the Month, May2015 When Jackdaw tries to invite all his friends to his birthday party he can’t understand why first the octopus and then the horse, the cat and the squirrel are all touching their heads. Soon the wise owl puts him straight. Each of the animals was warning Jackdaw of a dangerous storm coming in sign language! Using his wings, Jackdaw learns sign language too and then he can talk to everyone! Written with the help of deaf children in a workshop run by The Life and Death Association, former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson has created a very special picture book for all. ~ Julia Eccleshare

Synopsis

What the Jackdaw Saw by Julia Donaldson

The jackdaw wants all his friends to come to his party, but when he calls out his invitation the animals just touch their heads. Why won't they answer? And what do their actions mean? Luckily a brown owl can help him with the puzzle!

This book about friendship and sign language was created by Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson with a group of deaf children in a workshop organised by the not-for-profit organisation Life & Deaf (www.lifeanddeaf.co.uk) which helps deaf children to explore their identities through poetry, film, performance and art.

Featuring Nick Sharratt's bright and accessible illustrations, What the Jackdaw Saw is another beautiful picture book from the team behind Goat Goes to Playgroup and Toddle Waddle.

About the Author

Julia Donaldson is the prize-winning author of the world’s most-loved picture books including What the Ladybird Heard and The Gruffalo, the latter of which has sold over 14 million copies worldwide, been translated into 50 languages and been adapted into a popular animated film. She was the UK Children’s Laureate from 2011-2013 and was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to Literature. Julia lives in West Sussex and Edinburgh.